Date:
23 May 2023
Author:
Salsa Digital Security Team

Defense in depth and the process layer

The 8th and final whitepaper in our series on the Seven Layers of Web Application Security focuses on Layer 7 - Process. This whitepaper will examine the importance of security processes in web application protection and how they form an essential part of a comprehensive security strategy.

Well-defined security processes can help organisations identify, assess and manage risks associated with their web applications. They provide structure and guidance, ensuring that every aspect of security is considered and managed in a systematic way. They also help organisations maintain compliance with industry regulations, best practices and security frameworks.

This whitepaper discusses various security processes that are essential for protecting web applications, including risk assessment, incident response, vulnerability management, and more. We explore the challenges and benefits associated with implementing these processes and provide recommendations for their effective execution.

Our objective is to help you understand the critical role of security processes in web application protection and provide guidance on how to establish and maintain effective processes within your organisation. By the end of this whitepaper, you’ll have a deeper understanding of how to develop and implement robust security processes that strengthen your overall web application security posture.

Security risks and challenges

There are 6 main security risks and challenges at the process layer:

  1. Determining risks
  2. Lack of standardisation
  3. Resource constraints
  4. Keeping process up to date
  5. Compliance and regulatory requirements
  6. Human error

1. Determining risks

One of the primary challenges in implementing security processes is identifying and prioritising the risks that web applications face. Understanding the threat landscape, assessing potential threats and vulnerabilities, and prioritising their mitigation in accordance with your organisation’s risk appetite and strategic priorities are crucial steps in designing an effective security process.

2. Lack of standardisation

The absence of standardisation across security processes within an organisation can lead to inconsistencies and gaps in protection. Developing and adhering to a standardised set of processes ensures that all applications follow the same security measures and reduces the potential for missteps.

3. Resource constraints

Effective security processes often require significant resources, including personnel, time and budget. Balancing these constraints while still providing comprehensive security can be a challenge for many organisations.

4. Keeping processes up to date

The rapidly evolving threat landscape requires constant updates to security processes to ensure that they remain effective. Organisations must regularly review and update their processes to address emerging threats and vulnerabilities.

5. Compliance and regulatory requirements

Meeting the requirements of various compliance frameworks and regulations adds an additional layer of complexity to security processes. Organisations must not only ensure their processes are effective but also that they satisfy the necessary compliance obligations.

6. Human error

Human error remains a significant challenge in maintaining effective security processes. Ensuring that employees follow established procedures and remain vigilant in identifying and addressing potential threats is a critical aspect of maintaining a robust security posture.

Top 10 best practices and recommendations

Below we’ve put together our top 10 best practices/recommendations for securing the process layer:

  1. Establish a security policy
  2. Implement a secure development lifecycle (SDLC)
  3. Conduct regular security assessments
  4. Implement access control and authorisation
  5. Encrypt sensitive data
  6. Implement regular backups and disaster recovery planning
  7. Monitor and respond to security incidents
  8. Implement secure coding practices
  9. Patch management and vulnerability remediation
  10. Employee training and awareness

1. Establish a security policy

A security policy outlines the organisation's approach to securing web applications, detailing the roles, responsibilities and rules that govern the entire security process.

Security: A well-defined security policy provides a clear framework for securing web applications, ensuring consistent protection and reducing potential vulnerabilities.

Actionable steps:

  1. Identify key stakeholders and assign responsibilities for developing, implementing and maintaining the security policy.
  2. Define the scope of the security policy, including the assets and resources to be protected.
  3. Identify and prioritise potential threats and vulnerabilities to web applications.
  4. Establish security rules, processes and standards for addressing identified threats and vulnerabilities.
  5. Clearly communicate the security policy to all employees and provide appropriate training.
  6. Regularly review and update the security policy to adapt to the evolving threat landscape.

2. Implement a secure development lifecycle (SDLC)

The SDLC is a process that integrates security considerations throughout the entire software development lifecycle, ensuring that web applications are designed, built and maintained with security in mind.

Security: By integrating security measures into each stage of the development process, organisations can proactively address vulnerabilities, reducing the likelihood of successful attacks.

Actionable steps:

  1. Identify the stages of the development process where security activities should be integrated (e.g. design, coding, testing, deployment and maintenance).
  2. Establish security requirements and guidelines for each stage of the development process.
  3. Integrate security tools and techniques into the development process, such as static and dynamic code analysis, penetration testing and code reviews.
  4. Train developers and other relevant team members in secure coding practices and security testing methodologies.
  5. Establish a process for identifying and addressing security vulnerabilities discovered throughout the development process.
  6. Continuously monitor and improve the security of web applications through regular assessments and updates.

3. Conduct regular security assessments

Regular security assessments involve evaluating the security posture of web applications to identify potential vulnerabilities and weaknesses.

Security: Conducting security assessments helps organisations identify and address vulnerabilities before they can be exploited, reducing the overall risk of successful attacks.

Actionable steps:

  1. Define the scope of the security assessment, including the web applications and components to be evaluated.
  2. Choose the appropriate security assessment tools and techniques (e.g. vulnerability scanning, penetration testing, code reviews).
  3. Perform the security assessment, identifying vulnerabilities and weaknesses in web applications.
  4. Document the findings and prioritise the identified vulnerabilities based on their potential impact and likelihood of exploitation.
  5. Develop and implement remediation plans to address the identified vulnerabilities.
  6. Re-assess the web applications after remediation to ensure that vulnerabilities have been effectively addressed.

4. Implement access control and authorisation

Access control and authorisation ensure that only authorised users and resources have access to web applications and that they can only perform actions within their designated privileges.

Security: By restricting access and actions based on roles and privileges, organisations can minimise the risk of unauthorised access and data breaches.

Actionable steps:

  1. Define roles and the corresponding access levels for web applications.
  2. Implement an authentication system that not only verifies user identities (e.g. username/password), but also enforces strong authentication (e.g. multifactor authentication) before granting access to web applications.
  3. Develop an authorisation system that enforces access controls based on established roles and privileges.
  4. Regularly review and update roles and access privileges to ensure they remain appropriate and secure.
  5. Implement monitoring and logging of authentication and authorisation activities to detect and respond to potential unauthorised actions.

5. Encrypt sensitive data

Encrypting sensitive data protects it from unauthorised access and ensures that even if the data is intercepted or compromised, it remains unreadable to attackers.

Security: Encryption adds a critical layer of security for sensitive data, reducing the risk of data breaches and unauthorised access.

Actionable steps:

  1. Identify sensitive data within the web applications that require encryption (e.g. passwords, personal information, financial data).
  2. Choose an industry or best practice grade encryption algorithms and key management practices to ensure sufficient protection for the sensitive data.
  3. Implement encryption for data at rest, such as stored files and databases, as well as data in transit, such as communications between the web application and clients or other services.
  4. Implement an encryption key cycle or rotation process where you change encryption keys on a periodic basis.
  5. Regularly review and update encryption practices to ensure they remain up-to-date with current cryptographic standards and best practices.

6. Implement regular backups and disaster recovery planning

Regular backups and disaster recovery planning help organisations protect their web applications and data from loss or damage in the event of a security breach or other catastrophic event.

Security: A well-designed backup and disaster recovery strategy helps organisations recover more quickly from an attack, minimising the impact and downtime caused by the event.

Actionable steps:

  1. Identify the critical components of the web applications and data that require regular backups.
  2. Establish a backup schedule and frequency that balances the need for data protection with the available resources and storage capacity.
  3. Implement a secure and reliable backup solution that ensures data integrity and confidentiality.
  4. Develop a disaster recovery plan that outlines the steps and resources needed to recover the web applications and data following a catastrophic event.
  5. Regularly test the backup and disaster recovery procedures to ensure they remain effective and up-to-date.

7. Monitor and respond to security incidents

Monitoring and incident response involve detecting, analysing and responding to security incidents in a timely manner, helping organisations mitigate the impact of attacks and potential breaches.

Security: A proactive monitoring and incident response strategy enables organisations to identify and address potential threats more quickly, reducing the likelihood of successful attacks and minimising the impact of incidents.

Actionable steps:

  1. Define what web application security logs should be captured for monitoring purposes.
  2. Implement monitoring tools and techniques that collect, centralise and analyse captured web application security logs.
  3. Define a process for evaluating and responding to analysed logs to determine what constitutes an event versus an incident.
  4. Develop an incident response plan that outlines the roles, responsibilities and procedures for handling security incidents.
  5. Establish a security incident response team (SIRT) responsible for responding to detected incidents.
  6. Train SIRT members and other relevant stakeholders in established incident response procedures and best practices.
  7. Regularly review and update the incident response plan to ensure it remains effective in addressing the evolving threat landscape.

8. Implement secure coding practices

Secure coding practices involve using programming techniques and best practices that reduce the likelihood of introducing vulnerabilities and weaknesses into web applications.

Security: By following secure coding practices, developers can proactively address potential vulnerabilities during the development process, reducing the risk of successful attacks.

Actionable steps:

  1. Establish a set of secure coding guidelines for the organisation that align with industry standards, such as the OWASP Top Ten ProjectExternal Link .
  2. Implement code review processes that include checks for adherence to secure coding practices.
  3. Use static and dynamic code analysis tools to identify potential vulnerabilities and weaknesses in the code.
  4. Encourage a security-focused culture within the development team, that values the importance of secure coding practices by training developers in secure coding principles and best practices.

9. Patch management and vulnerability remediation

Patch management and vulnerability remediation involve identifying, prioritising, and addressing known vulnerabilities in web applications, as well as updating and patching software ein related components to maintain a secure environment.

Security: By proactively addressing known vulnerabilities and applying patches in a timely manner, organisations can minimise the risk of attacks exploiting those vulnerabilities.

Actionable steps:

  1. Establish a patch management process that includes regular monitoring of security advisories and updates from vendors and security researchers.
  2. Prioritise vulnerabilities based on their potential impact and likelihood of exploitation.
  3. Develop and implement remediation plans to address identified vulnerabilities, including applying patches and updates as well as making necessary configuration changes.
  4. Test and verify the effectiveness of the applied patches and updates to ensure they do not introduce new vulnerabilities or negatively impact the functionality of the web applications.
  5. Document the patch management process and maintain a record of applied patches and updates for auditing and compliance purposes.

10. Employee training and awareness

Employee training and awareness programs aim to educate employees about web application security best practices, risks and their role in protecting the organisation's assets.

Security: Well-informed employees are more likely to identify and report potential security threats and follow security best practices, reducing the overall risk of successful attacks.

Actionable steps:

  1. Identify the target audience for the training program, including developers, administrators and end-users.
  2. Develop a training curriculum that’s relevant to the target audience and covers topics such as secure coding practices, access control, data protection and incident response procedures.
  3. Deliver the training program using formats, such as in-person workshops, online courses or interactive webinars that are most suitable to the target audience.
  4. Periodically review and update the training program to ensure it remains relevant and effective in addressing the evolving threat landscape.
  5. Establish a process to measure the effectiveness of the training program to track employee participation and knowledge retention.

Following these 10 best practices and recommendations will significantly improve web application security and reduce the risk of successful attacks. By implementing a comprehensive approach to security that addresses people, processes, and technologies, organisations can maintain a strong security posture and protect their critical assets from potential threats.

Benefits and outcomes

Implementing the top 10 best practices and recommendations for process security can lead to several benefits and positive outcomes for your organisation. These include:

  1. Improved security posture
  2. Reduced risk of data breaches
  3. Compliance with industry standards and regulations
  4. Enhanced customer trust
  5. Improved efficiency and resource allocation
  6. Faster incident response and recovery

1. Improved security posture

By implementing the top 10 best practices and recommendations for web application security processes, organisations can greatly enhance their overall security posture. A strong security posture reduces the risk of successful attacks and the potential damage they can cause.

2. Reduced risk of data breaches

Implementing effective security processes can help minimise the risk of data breaches, which can result in costly fines, reputational damage and the loss of sensitive data. Following the recommended practices helps to protect customer and company data from unauthorised access and potential misuse.

3. Compliance with industry standards and regulations

Many industries have established security regulations and standards, such as the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority Standard CPS 234 or the Australian Privacy Principles. Adhering to these best practices helps organisations maintain compliance with these regulations and avoid potential penalties.

4. Enhanced customer trust

Organisations that prioritise web application security demonstrate their commitment to protecting customer data, fostering trust among their users. When customers feel confident that their data is secure, they are more likely to continue using the organisation's services and recommend them to others.

5. Improved efficiency and resource allocation

Implementing a well-defined security process enables organisations to allocate resources more effectively. By identifying and prioritising security risks, they can focus their efforts on addressing the most critical vulnerabilities, ensuring that time and resources are used efficiently.

6. Faster incident response and recovery

Having a well-implemented process in place for incident response ensures that organisations are prepared to respond quickly and effectively to security incidents. Swift incident response helps to minimise the impact of security breaches and facilitates recovery from potential damages.

By focusing on the recommended best practices for web application security processes, organisations can enjoy these benefits and outcomes, contributing to a safer and more secure digital environment for all.

Conclusion

In this whitepaper, we discussed the importance of web application security processes and the challenges organisations face in this area. We also provided a comprehensive list of the top 10 best practices and recommendations, designed to help organisations strengthen their security processes and protect their web applications from potential threats.

It’s crucial for organisations to recognise that web application security requires a holistic approach, encompassing not just technical aspects but also people and processes. By considering all seven layers of web application security, organisations can effectively mitigate risks and create a more secure environment for their applications and users.

As the digital landscape evolves and new threats emerge, organisations must continually assess and improve their web application security processes. Regularly reviewing and updating security processes in line with best practices and emerging trends will ensure that organisations stay ahead of potential threats and maintain the highest level of security possible.

By following the recommendations outlined in this whitepaper, organisations can significantly improve their web application security processes and safeguard their valuable digital assets. While it may be challenging to implement and maintain these practices, the benefits and outcomes are well worth the investment. Protecting web applications is not only essential for maintaining the trust of customers and users but also for the overall success and growth of an organisation in today's highly interconnected digital world.

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cybersecurity Framework and the process layer

NIST is a US-based agency that provides critical measurement solutions to promote equitable standards such as the NIST Cybersecurity FrameworkExternal Link (NIST CSF). NIST CSF is recognised globally as one of the leading standards for organisational cybersecurity management.

The NIST CSF can be applied to organisational processes to enhance cybersecurity practices, improve risk management, and strengthen overall cybersecurity resilience. Here are some of the NIST CSF activities that can apply to this layer:

Identify:

  1. Risk assessment: Integrate cybersecurity risk assessments into various organisational processes to identify and evaluate cybersecurity risks associated with those processes.
  2. Asset management: Incorporate asset management practices into processes to maintain an up-to-date inventory of critical assets and their associated security requirements.

Protect:

  1. Policy and procedure development: Develop and implement cybersecurity policies, procedures and guidelines as an integral part of organisational processes.
  2. Access control: Integrate access controls into processes to restrict access to sensitive information and critical systems based on user roles and responsibilities.
  3. Vendor management: Establish a process for assessing and managing the cybersecurity risks posed by third-party vendors and service providers.

Detect:

  1. Monitoring and analysis: Incorporate continuous monitoring and analysis of organisational processes to detect abnormal or suspicious activities that may indicate a cybersecurity incident.
  2. Incident detection: Integrate incident detection capabilities into processes to identify and report security incidents as soon as they occur.

Respond:

  1. Incident response plan: Develop and document an incident response plan that outlines how cybersecurity incidents should be handled within various organisational processes.
  2. Communication: Establish clear communication channels and procedures for reporting and responding to cybersecurity incidents, both internally and externally.

Recover:

  1. Business continuity and disaster recovery: Embed business continuity and disaster recovery planning into processes to ensure the organisation can recover critical functions and data in the event of a cybersecurity incident.
  2. Backup and recovery: Integrate data backup and recovery procedures into processes to facilitate data restoration in case of data loss.

More about NIST

Resources and further reading